Inspiration Monday

Encouragement for Monday: Ephesians 4:28

"[She] who has been stealing must steal no longer, but work, doing something useful with [her] hands, that [she] may have something to share with those in need."

So, stop stealing. Tee hee...o-kay, that's not the encouraging message for today, I admit it :)! This verse was talked about at church two weeks ago, and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. So here IS the encouragement: whatever your work is (and we all have Thirty-One in common right now), what is your motivation for working hard? All of our usual ambitions (taking care of our family, paying off debt, providing "extras" like vacations) are all very good reasons. But I love the way this verse reminds us that our TRUE motivation for working hard is that we might have something to share with those in need.

This has been challenging me. My plan is to pay off debt through Thirty-One and earn some other rewards along the way. What if I started looking for ways, even small ways, that my hard work could benefit those in need? What if that became the driving force behind my work?

What are your thoughts? Do you have any ideas about how to give to those in need through your Thirty-One income?

And, I suppose, if you are stealing, you should definitely cut that out, too ;)!

Two Great Ideas!

Hello Ladies! One of the best parts about networking with you pretty gals is all the ideas I get from you! Seriously, you are all an intelligent bunch :). Here are two simple ideas I've received from Team MINDY gals:

1) Do You Yahoo?
For those of you who may not know, there is a Thirty-One Yahoo Group you can join which provides all kinds of ideas, networking, and even a "for-sale" section to pick up discontinued products, etc., that fellow consultants are selling. I heard about the Group awhile ago and hadn't taken the time to join, but so many of you have told me amazing ideas that you've heard on the page that I finally broke down and joined today :). I've heard it can fill your inbox, so I chose the option of receiving the "Daily Digest" as opposed to receiving an individual e-mail for each post. I'm excited to reap the information shared in this valuable resource!

2) Catalog Saver
Kelly Goossen (IN) came up with this GREAT idea: she buys a binder with clear, page-protector pages, takes one of her catalogs apart and slides each catalog page in a protector. She told me she then uses this exclusively as "her" catalog as she is taking orders, referencing products, etc. What a GREAT IDEA, Kelly! I can't tell you how many Spring & Summer catalogs I "sacrificed" by looking through them constantly and wearing them out! I found a 24-page binder in the "Report Cover" section at Office Max, and I'm thrilled with the way my fall catalog looks inside.

So, now it's your turn! What's your best idea for your Thirty-One business? Let's share with each other...we'll all benefit in the end!

Warmly,

Laura

Inspiration Monday

National Conference Highlights 2010

National Conference was an ABSOLUTE blast! I joined Thirty-One January 30th of 2010, so it was my first year in attendance, and all my expectations were exceeded. The sessions were entertaining and helpful, the facility accommodated us all well, and there were lots of FREEBIES! Every time we walked out of a session, we were handed a free item! There was a bag for us on arrival with a fun t-shirt and all our materials for the event. AND we received product cards, embroidery swatches, and many other useful business tools for FREE!

And, let's face it, Ladies, part of taking care of yourself is GETTING AWAY once in awhile! As much as we love our hubbies/jobs/kids/lives, sometimes getting away for a few nights is the best thing you can do for yourself AND your family. Plan ahead early next year, and make it a priority to take a couple nights away. Coming home refreshed and energized to achieve even more will be a huge blessing to you and those around you.

I want to see you all there next year, and here's the best part: starting in January, you will again have the opportunity to earn "conference bucks". These can then be applied towards the cost of conference, lodging, the conference & home office stores, AND if you have any left over, they can be used towards the next season's add-on kits! I was able to have the conference paid for, but my goal next year is to have the conference, hotel, SHOPPING, and kits paid for all in conference bucks!

Can't wait for National Conference 2011! Let me know in the comments: where do you hope to be with Thirty-One a year from now? Do you hope to have some debt paid off? A car payment taken care of? Do you want to be a Director by then? A SENIOR Director by then? Let me know your goals & we'll work together to achieve them.

WELCOME!

Kerri Wolfe (Senior Consultant, IN) & Laura Carney (Director, IN), National Conference

Hello, Ladies!

Welcome to our Team MINDY blog! I will be offering inspiration, party ideas and tips, and, most importantly, providing a place for us to get to know one another. Each month I will introduce a different Consultant and help us all feel a bit more like friends and team members. This is a place for celebrating successes and sharing ideas; please offer any suggestions as we go!

I am looking forward to what's to come!

Warmly,

Laura